3.23.2010

1) “Should I come into therapy with my partner or alone?” Couples in relational distress (unhappy!) will benefit from either individual or couples counseling. My goal is to help you improve your relationship and find new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Marriage is worth a hearty effort – most relationships hit a dead-stop at some point and each partner may find it necessary to “dig deep.” Yes, keeping families together is important and young children need both parents. Ultimately, this will be your decision – a therapist should never declare a marriage “over” or pressure a partner to “stay.” Divorce has lasting consequences for everyone; if no other options are available, amicable separation and divorce can be achieved with help from a skilled clinician such as myself.

2) Common Signs of Depression. Depression screening will be provided at your first therapy appointment. Suggestions and ideas to alleviate depression and improve your ability to focus, find employment, communicate better with family and friends, will be a collaborative effort between you and myself. Please see my website for greater detail on depression www.marriageandfamilytherapistofcarlsbad.com

3) “Will insurance cover therapy services?” I am a provider for several major insurance carriers. My flexible hours provide counseling to residents of San Diego and South Orange County, Newport Beach, Carlsbad, Del Mar, Oceanside, Vista and La Jolla, to name a few. Please call for further details 760.522.5659

4) Infidelity: Infidelity is a complex event in a relationship that can have devastating and/or permanent effects. Yet, many couples are able to successfully survive this traumatic experience. An experienced Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist can maneuver a couple through these powerful feelings. Beliefs and feelings around the infidelity must be managed in a safe and limited setting. Good communication skills include perfecting the message you send to others, the message that is received by others, and verification that both people are actually heard.

5) “We have already tried therapy!” If you have had therapy in the past, and you didn’t see improvements, there are often a variety of reasons for this. Sometimes your therapist is not the ideal fit. Sometimes we are not “ready” to take the actions necessary to feel better and sometimes the timing may be off (too many other issues at that time to properly address our internal conflict). If you have done therapy and feel that you addressed early childhood issues, there is often little reason to revisit those resolved issues. However, if previous areas of disturbance are surfacing again, it’s helpful to touch base with a therapist to give your life a closer examination. Previous areas of grief or loss, a family history of depression, or new manifestations of anxiety all benefit from seeking counseling and resolving the stumbling blocks to happiness.

3.13.2010

Hello. I just wanted to take a few moments to thank you for your help and suggestions for my life and marriage. I realize now that people need objective and educated people not only to talk out issues, but also guide them in life. Your suggestion to see my own therapist and to be open to the possibility of medication was a lifesaver. I had taken aspirin for a headache but I would have never considered medication for my anger/ depression. The thought of taking medication for this was a problem for two reasons; first you have to accept the fact that "I" have some issues that I may need medication, but most importantly "I" had to accept the fact that it doesn't make me weak, broken, or crazy. The medication is not as extreme or as scary as I once thought, it only makes me deal with life without a lot of "anger." If you have any clients that are unsure about medication or therapy please allow them to read this message, if you think it would help. The therapy and medication not only makes me a better person, father, and husband but also has given me my life and family back. Life is wonderful when you don't have to be angry or depressed all the time. Thank you more than words can express. Bob :)

3.07.2010

Jensen says scientists used to think human brain development was pretty complete by age 10. Or as she puts it, that "a teenage brain is just an adult brain with fewer miles on it."
But it's not. To begin with, she says, a crucial part of the brain — the frontal lobes — are not fully connected. Really.
"It's the part of the brain that says: 'Is this a good idea? What is the consequence of this action?' " Jensen says. "It's not that they don't have a frontal lobe. And they can use it. But they're going to access it more slowly."Listen To This Story